Disclaimer. The characters belong to Shonda Rhimes. The various references, quotations used in this document do not belong to me. This work is non-profit just for fun. Thank you for reading and giving your opinion.
Sorry translation can be rough, I'm French and my English is not so good
Chapter 4: Day 1 - Central Park
The next morning the smell of pancakes awakens Arizona, she listens and guesses the whispers of Callie and Sofia in the kitchen. It resonates in her as a feeling of well-being, of experience that she had missed so much. She would have liked to close her eyes and find herself a few years earlier, without ever having experienced conflicts, betrayals, separations, the fighting for custody, let everything be easy, simple.
But unfortunately, this was not the way, she is quite sure that Callie still doesn't accept her mistakes and even if it doesn't feel (because she had to admit that she was being adorable and seemed to have changed, to be more appeased), Arizona was however convinced that all these resentments would one day come up.
Anyway, they had already tried and failed, and Callie had left her. Twice! She had met Penny introducing her to all their friends, like her great love, the one she had never known, the one that lasts a lifetime and all of that, had been horribly hurtful In reality, she avoided thinking about it, but if by chance this memory was imposed on her, she had to acknowledge that she was still injured. One of the reasons she fell madly in love with her ex-wife was her passionate temper, even sometimes carried away, but on a daily basis, however, it was sometimes difficult for Arizona to find her place.
No! as pleasant as all Callie's attentions may be, she was not to let down her guard and especially STAY ON TRACK.
Really, if she was being honest, throughout their history, Callie had been mostly awesome. However, the elements had raged ferociously against them, every time they tried and almost managed to get their heads out of the water, a new catastrophe fell on them and caused them to dive back again.
Everything is confused in the mind of Arizona: love but also resentment, tenderness but also anger, wanting to get out those ideas that gave her the blues she decides to stand up and join cookers.
- Wow you worked really well early in the morning
-Mom, we did this for you!
The table was set, fruit juices, croissants, pancakes and coffee made up a gargantuan breakfast, they even prepared scrambled eggs with bacon there was nothing missing. Grabbing her mother's hand, Sofia directs her to a chair supposed to be her place, where a small vase contained a flower, on the plate a card was laid decorated with hearts and many, many glitters, it read:
"Welcome to New York Mom, I Love You"
Rubbing her finger under her nose, a mimic she borrowed from her mother when she is moved or embarrassed, the little girl watches the reaction. Arizona hugs her and kisses her tenderly, hugging her tightly.
- I am treated like a queen, I am so happy to have such a wonderful little girl, I love you so much!
Callie on the other side of the room, observes the scene with an emotion that doesn't escape Arizona, she get closer to the Latina and kisses her on the cheek to say good morning to her, whispering a discreet
- Thank you
- Oh but I 'm not there for anything, Sofia did it all!
She winks at Arizona
- In that case, thank you for giving me, such a wonderful little girl, she is the greatest gift of my life.
Callie cannot hide her trouble, these words are heavy with meaning for both women and each of them knows the reason, her eyes filled with tears. Arizona puts a hand that is meant to be comforting on her arm and that simple contact that has always appeased her, allows her to consider that her ex-wife may not have as much resentment as she feared.
On the other hand, Arizona realizes at this moment that she never expressed this gratitude to Callie. The children's debate had been heated, Arizona didn't want it, but out of love for Callie, she ended up marrying her dream.
What she thought not be her dream had proved to be the greatest happiness of her life, yet from the first ultrasound she knew that this baby was hers and that she would give everything for her child.
However, by dint of unspoken, clumsiness, the last exchanges with Callie about this moment in their lives had led to yet another misunderstanding. Callie finally thought that when she got back from Africa, Arizona felt stuck with a girlfriend who got pregnant by her ex sex friend, while she was away.
Callie regaining her spirits and stopping the thoughts of the blonde announces
- Today I take matters into my own hands ladies, I took a few days off and I'm taking you out. Get ready for the coolest day of your life!
- Wow! Yay! Great! What's that? exclaiming the two guests hopping while holding hands
Delighted to hear again wows, yays and awesomes! invading her life, the Latina laughing
- I wonder if she is the kid of the two?
Setting her hands around her mouth like a loudspeaker she screams
"Is there an adult besides me in this house?"
The three burst out of laughter, spontaneity, the naturalness didn't take long to settle down, it just sounds like an evidence.
This day will be dedicated to Central Park, there was something for all tastes and all ages. Sofia is delighted to climb the statue of Alice in Wonderland, to go see the sea lions, the penguins, it is the zoo of her favorite cartoon "Madagascar" her excitement is at its height. As both mothers revel in their child's joy, Arizona admits aloud
- Seeing her like this, is enough for my happiness
Callie acquiesces and timidly with her eyes plunging to the ground, adds in a sigh
- I really screwed up when I decided to move, I... I'm so sorry.
It was the first time that this period of their history had been touched upon. Since Callie's departure to New York, their exchanges were cordial but limited to Sofia, they had never mentioned their personal life, past or present.
Arizona, although seized by Callie's regrets, doesn't want to risk herself on this pitch, she tries to avoid the subject.
- Callie is a thing of the past, now she has both of us and that's all that matters
- Yes, but I wanted to tell you...
Arizona interrupts her nicely, she really doesn't feel ready for this conversation
-Please not now Callie, I know that we may have to talk about it, put everything on the table, but not now.
Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath as if to live the moment to the fullest, she adds
- We're here, let's enjoy this moment and forget all about it, just a little bit okay? Aren't you okay?
- Yes, yes but
In a burst of laughter first because the Latin and hers mimics have always amused her, but also because she hopes to close the evocation of this part of their story that she chose to hide during all these months, she pushes Callie with her shoulder.
- So don't make your puppy dog eyes, you know , I can't resist your sad eyes
-Really? Here's an excellent information mimicking the eyes of a depressed cocker she's chasing Arizona
Arizona stifles a laugh. Callie is so funny, it's part of her charm Wow, Wow, Wow danger- wouldn't forget her STAY THE COURSE? She refocuses on Sofia, finally she tries, because Callie continues to make the fool around her, and it must be admitted that it is very difficult to be insensitive to Callie Torres.
The rest of the day takes place in a relaxed atmosphere, each enjoying the presence of the other and enjoying the pleasure of their child. They had planned to make a movie in the evening, but after the ride, the ice creams and the games, Sofia declared forfeiture and fell asleep in the car. So Arizona offers to go home for bedtime, it was more reasonable.
On the way home, Callie asks her half worried, half player
- Not too disappointed that the evening is cut short. I think you were more excited to see Mowgli than Sofia!
- It was just perfect, I confess that a little rest won't hurt me too.
Arizona utters these words while mechanically passing her hand over the stump above her prosthesis, Callie's gaze turns lays on the leg.
- Oh that's right, sorry it was totally out of my mind
- I really like it, when you forget it
Callie smiles and theatrically shouts "I know, I'm not your doctor" Arizona thinking she's funny ends the sentence so many times repeated "notice now you are not my wife either." She bites her lips, already regretting the bad taste of what was meant to be a joke, but which echoed a shared wound. The two women smile embarrassed, not knowing how to manage the reminder of what had caused so many disagreements and vexations.
What Callie consider to be a support and help to her wife, Arizona saw it, as an intrusion, a loss of freedom, of independence, they ended up no longer understanding each other, and moving away.
The rest of the journey is done in deafening silence, each immersed in hers own reflections, imagining what was going on in the other's head. Once Sofia is in bed, in order to fill the pervasive silence, Callie proposes to transform their movie night into an video night at home. They each sit on one side of the sofa, leaving a substantial space between them and carefully avoiding their gaze from crossing each other.
Arizona was inwardly reprimanding herself for her clumsiness, wanting to put an end to the uneasiness, she decides to clear the air
- Callie, I'm really sorry about earlier, it was stupid and inappropriate
- However very fair! Notice the advantage is that no longer being your wife, I can be your doctor now. You should take off your prosthetics and before we watch the movie I'll give you a massage. I can see you're struggling.
Arizona comforted by Callie's reaction, though a little embarrassed accepts the proposal. After all, Callie has already done so very often relieved, it's not as if they didn't know each other.
- Uh ... It... it doesn't bother you, we walked a lot and actually I feel a little pain
- A little? Callie looks at her in a disbelieving corner
- Okay, I'm in great pain Dr. Torres! We can't hide anything from the orthopedics superstar! Arizona admits with a smile on her lips
She takes off her pants to remove her prosthetic, and finds herself in a small outfit in front of Callie. She realized at this moment that this gesture was made naturally, as if it were familiar, as she would have done before the separation.
Callie kneels in front of her, looking at her asking permission to put her hand on the stump and begins a very professional massage striving to avoid any equivocal action.
For her part, Arizona is focused on concealing the disorder caused by the simple contact of Callie's hand on her skin. In order not to let her memory take over the present moment, she programs the "hyper-control" mode. Despite her efforts, she feels the memories catching up with her, upset, she stops Callie's work by assuring her in a tone that is meant to be light and humorous.
-It's much better, thank you Dr. Torres your hands are still doing wonders
Wow she's not missing one tonight!
-"No, no, no, , I mean it was good - No, no! I didn't want to say it like that either finally. You ... you know what I mean
Callie amused and tendered by Arizona's awkward babbling, feigns misunderstanding, hiding a smile that reads on her lips
- No I don't see very well, can you develop?
- Let Callie put the film!
- As you like but if...
- Stop it!
- Ok but ...
- Callie!
- Okay, Okay, I'm quiet. We're watching the movie.
Staring at the screen she mumbles the sulky air
- I just wanted to offer my services. As everyone knows, I love my job and I am very conscientious.
Arizona pretends not to have heard but can't refrain from laughing silently, softened by the grin of a cranky child that Callie wears. She forces herself to concentrate on the film so as not to let herself overwhelmed by feelings, which although pleasant, must in no case come back because too dangerous and too uncontrollable.
The next morning, they wake up still sitting on the couch. Arizona's head placed on Callie's shoulder who despite the numbness of her arm, did not move one iota, for fear of interrupting this precious moment. Arizona straightens out abruptly, particularly confused –
- Oups sorry, I think I fell asleep, I didn't realize, in ... in sleep you understand I had to put my head on your shoulder I didn't ...
- It's ok Arizona. It's nothing, it isn't like it's the first time, just an old habit
- Yes... Uh... I'm gonna prepare breakfast today it's my turn.
Arizona thought she really had to get back on her feet, not lose sight of her famous "STAY THE TRACK ON". They spent the day and night flirting like teenagers. It was disconcerting. Comfortable as when you know each other by heart, and at the same time, exciting as when we discover it during the first dates.
Although it was delicious and very tempting, it wasn't good for her. She knew she shouldn't open this Pandora's box otherwise she was ruined. She would not rise from another failure, and Sofia could not relive that either. It was necessary to build defenses, otherwise she would not resist for long the charms of this beautiful brunette who has the power to always break her. She's going to put some distance, start looking for an apartment is more careful ...
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